The new film from internationally renowned Chinese director Zhang Yimou (“Raise the Red Lantern,” “Hero”) has been chosen as his country’s submission to the Oscar’s foreign language category. The film stars Oscar winner and current Batman actor Christian Bale (“The Fighter”) as American John Haufman who is trapped in China during the war between China and Japan around the massacre of Nanking. Avoiding the conflict, Haufman is joined in shelter by a group of young schoolgirls and courtesans.

At the Toronto International Film Festival, Dana Harris reported on the film’s sales screening; it remains unsold in North America. Sales are being handled by FilmNation Entertainment.

For the running list of nominations for the foreign language Oscar, check out indieWIRE’s list here.